“I haven’t received word either way, so I’m just focused on tonight’s game, going in with apositive mindset,” Palmieri said more than an hour before the deadline.

“Whatever happens, happens. It’s out of my control. It’s my first trade deadline where my name’s been mentioned like this. It’s weird, but even worrying about it is not going to change anything. I want to play here, so I’m getting prepared like it’s any other day.”

As the minutes ticked away, Moulson went to the Minnesota Wild, Vanek was dealt to the Montreal Canadiens and the Canucks apparently got antsy about giving a division rival a top player, and kept Kesler.

So Palmieri, with nine goals and 14 assists, was taken off the market and off the rotation ofbeing a healthy scratch after not dressing in six games since Dec. 9.

The Ducks, after not trading on deadline day, were said to have been content with the ideaof giving 23-year-olds Palmieri and Jakob Silfverberg more playing time afforded by Tuesday’s trade of first-line wing Dustin Penner to the Washington Capitals.

“I’m thrilled to get that opportunity,” Palmieri said. “Being in and out of the lineup wears on you, you get sick of being in the press box, watching your teammates play.

“I want to be in there, have a lot of energy and bring to that line whatever they want. I want to be an impact player on this team. The way I’ve been in and out of the lineup, I haven’t been happy.”